Biography:Paolo Lettieri

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Paolo Lettieri
Paolo Lettieri
Paolo Lettieri
Born
Paolo Lettieri

(1974-05-08) May 8, 1974 (age 51)
Varese, Italy
NationalityItalian
OccupationArchitect and Designer
Years active2001–present
WebsiteUPA Italia

Paolo Lettieri (born on May 8, 1974, in Varese) is an Italian architect and designer, known for his international projects in healthcare, education, hospitality, and residential sectors.[1][2] He is the principal architect and managing partner at UPA Italia and the founder of the 29 Milano design brand. His works are celebrated for cultural integration and architectural innovation.[3]

Early life and education

Paolo Lettieri was born on May 8, 1974, in Varese, Italy.[4] He obtained his Scientific High School Diploma from Gavirate Scientific High School in 1993. In 2001, he graduated with a Master of Architecture (M.Arch) from the Polytechnic University of Milan under the mentorship of Professor Marco Dezzi Bardeschi.[5] In 2020, he completed an Executive Diploma in Real Estate and Project Management from the MIP Graduate School of Business, Milan.[6]

Career

Early career

After completing his studies, Lettieri worked as a junior architect with several prominent firms in Milan, including Dante O. Benini & Partners Architects and Studi Architetti Associati. He later became an architect and project manager at General Planning.[4][7]

UPA Italia

In 2009, Lettieri co-founded UPA Italia in Milan, the Italian arm of Urbanism Planning Architecture Consultancy, based in Abu Dhabi. UPA Italia specializes in architectural design, master planning, and interior design across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Notable projects include:

  • Abu Dhabi Ladies Club – a luxury women’s wellness and leisure facility.[8]
  • VGIK Auditorium, Moscow – the first digitally controlled variable acoustic auditorium in Russia.[9][10]
  • Al Qasim Green University Campus, Iraq – the first LEED Gold-certified project in Iraq.[11]
Paolo Lettieri, architect and urban designer
Paolo Lettieri, architect and urban designer

In 2023, UPA participated in the international architecture exhibition "Time Space Existence" in Venice at Palazzo Bembo at the same time as the Architecture Biennale.[12]

BrikBit Digital Shares

In 2017, Lettieri co-founded BrikBit, a blockchain-based real estate startup. The platform leverages blockchain technology for real estate management and transactions.[13]

29 Milano

In 2023, Lettieri founded 29 Milano, a design brand that merges architecture and furniture design. The brand’s flagship product, the Milano Armchair, won international acclaim for its sustainable materials and NFT blockchain certification.[14][15]

Publications

A book on Lettieri's work, titled Architectures in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, was published in December 2024.[16] The volume provides a comprehensive overview of his projects, showcasing his integration of cultural sensitivity and modern architecture. Italian architectural critic Luigi Prestinenza Puglisi noted in the introduction: "Behind a rational approach, there is always an expressive and organic component."[4]

Paolo Lettieri, founder of UPA Italia and 29 Milano
Paolo Lettieri, founder of UPA Italia and 29 Milano

Notable works

  • VGIK Auditorium – Moscow, Russia[17][9]
  • Abu Dhabi Ladies Club – Abu Dhabi, UAE[18][8]
  • Al Qassimi Maternity Hospital – Sharjah, UAE[19]
  • Masfout Hospital – Ajman, UAE[20]
  • Istisu Thermal Resort – Kalbajar, Azerbaijan[21]
  • Al Qasim Green University Campus – Babil, Iraq[22]

Awards and recognitions

Lettieri has received numerous awards for his architectural and design work. Notable recognitions include:

  • Design MasterPrize Awards (2024): Winner in the "Home (Household Products)" category.[23][24]
  • 5th LIV Hospitality Design Awards (2024): Winner in the "Architectural Design Resort - Midscale & Lifestyle" and "Mountain Destination" categories for the Istisu Thermal Resort in Kalbajar, Azerbaijan.[25][26]
  • New York Product Design Awards (2024): Silver Winner in "Seating & Comfort Furniture - Armchair" for the Milano Armchair.[27]
  • Architecture MasterPrize (2024): Honorable Mention in "Products / Furnishing" for the Milano Armchair.[28]
  • Product Design Awards (2024): Honorable Mention in "Products" for the Milano Armchair.[29]
  • Design & Build Awards (2024): Winner for "Most Dynamic Architectural Design Studio - Italy".[30]
  • International Property Awards - Africa and Arabia (2023): Winner in "Best Leisure Architecture Abu Dhabi" for the Ladies Club.[31]
  • IDA Design Awards (2023): Honorable Mention in "Architecture" for the Abu Dhabi Ladies Club, UAE.[32]
  • IDA Design Awards (2022): Bronze Winner in "Architecture Institutional" for the Variable Acoustic Auditorium for VGIK University.[33]
  • Design & Build Awards (2022): Winner in "Best for Creative and Contemporary Architecture in Milan".[34]
  • Architecture MasterPrize (2020): Honorable Mention in "Interior Design - Public Spaces" for the Auditorium of VGIK in Moscow, Russia.[35]
  • European Enterprise Awards (2020): Winner for "Best Architecture and Urban Design Practice in Italy" awarded to Urbanism Planning Architecture Italia.[36]
  • Luxury Lifestyle Awards (2020): Winner for "Architect and Interior Design Studio - Italy" awarded to Urbanism Planning Architecture Italia.[37]

Personal life

Paolo Lettieri resides in Milan, Italy. He is fluent in Italian and English.[4]

References

  1. Presti, Veronica (22 February 2022). "Paolo Lettieri: architettura italiana di stampo cosmopolita - Interiorissimi" (in it-IT). https://interiorissimi.it/paolo-lettieri-architettura-italiana-di-stampo-cosmopolita/. 
  2. "Paolo Lettieri, Designer" (in en). https://www.archiproducts.com/en/designers/paolo-lettieri?srsltid=AfmBOoriSmDxckoMNABk1-RsTtHznrRqEwhn2BXrBNkCJT4HwGX7b1t9. 
  3. "Cultural Diversities in Paolo Lettieri's Architectural Works". https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/768502500/cultural-diversities-in-paolo-lettieri-s-architectural-works. Retrieved 18 December 2024. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Cultural Diversities In Paolo Lettieri's Architectural Works" (in en). menafn.com. 12 December 2024. https://menafn.com/1108987306/Cultural-Diversities-In-Paolo-Lettieris-Architectural-Works. 
  5. "Paolo Lettieri". https://archinect.com/paololettieri. Retrieved 18 December 2024. 
  6. "UPA Italia - About Paolo Lettieri". https://www.upaitalia.com/. Retrieved 18 December 2024. 
  7. "Cultural Diversities in Paolo Lettieri's Architectural Works" (in English). Benzinga. 12 December 2024. https://www.benzinga.com/content/42469143/cultural-diversities-in-paolo-lettieris-architectural-works. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 "Abu Dhabi Ladies Club". https://www.world-architects.com/en/upa-italia-by-paolo-lettieri-architects-milano/project/abu-dhabi-ladies-club. Retrieved 18 December 2024. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 "VGIK Auditorium". https://www.world-architects.com/es/upa-italia-by-paolo-lettieri-architects-milano/project/vgik-auditorium. Retrieved 18 December 2024. 
  10. "Variable acoustic auditorium for VGIK University by Paolo Lettieri, Urbanism Planning Architecture Italia | International Design Awards™ Winners". www.idesignawards.com. https://www.idesignawards.com/winners/zoom.php?eid=9-30894-20. 
  11. "Al Qasim Green University UPA Italia by Paolo Lettieri Architects" (in es). https://www.world-architects.com/es/projects/view/al-qasim-green-university. 
  12. "2023 Time Space Existence - 6th Edition". https://timespaceexistence.com/past-editions/time-space-existence-2023/. 
  13. "Fireworks as BrikBit Lands in the US". https://medium.com/brikbit/fireworks-as-brikbit-lands-in-the-us-dd986f58bba1. Retrieved 18 December 2024. 
  14. "Milano armchair". https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=9931&mode=hm&compID=12813. 
  15. "Paolo Lettieri's 29 Milano". https://www.archiproducts.com/en/designers/paolo-lettieri. Retrieved 18 December 2024. 
  16. "Paolo Lettieri. Architectures in the Middle East, Europe and Asia". https://www.amazon.com.au/Paolo-Lettieri-Architectures-Middle-Europe/dp/8898939167. 
  17. "VGIK Auditorium UPA Italia by Paolo Lettieri Architects" (in es). https://www.world-architects.com/es/upa-italia-by-paolo-lettieri-architects-milano/project/vgik-auditorium. 
  18. "Abu Dhabi Ladies Club / UPA Italia". 7 May 2022. https://www.archdaily.com/981396/abu-dhabi-ladies-club-upa-italia. 
  19. McManus, David (12 October 2016). "Al Qassimi Hospital in Sharjah, Dubai" (in en-gb). https://www.e-architect.com/dubai/al-qassimi-hospital-uae. 
  20. "Masfout Hospital - Contemporary - Milan - by UPA Italia by Paolo Lettieri Architects | Houzz IE" (in en-IE). https://www.houzz.ie/photos/masfout-hospital-phvw-vp~56285095. 
  21. "Winner - Istisu Thermal SPA Resort". https://livawards.com/winner/2020/3/1011/0/. 
  22. "Al Qasim Green University by UPA Italia by Paolo Lettieri Architects" (in en-us). 22 November 2023. https://architizer.com/projects/al-qasim-green-university/. 
  23. "Paolo Lettieri Wins the Prestigious Design MasterPrize 2024 for Milano Armchair" (in en). Big News Network.com. 1 January 2025. https://www.bignewsnetwork.com/news/274905723/paolo-lettieri-wins-the-prestigious-design-masterprize-2024-for-milano-armchair. 
  24. "Paolo Lettieri wins Design MasterPrize 2024 for Milano Armchair" (in en). www.interiordaily.com. 2 January 2025. https://www.interiordaily.com/article/9691238/paolo-lettieri-wins-design-masterprize-2024-for-milano-armchair/. 
  25. "5th LIV Hospitality Design Awards Winner: Istisu Thermal Resort in Kalbajar, Azerbaijan". 2024. https://livawards.com/winner/liv/2023/973/0/. 
  26. "5th LIV Hospitality Design Awards Winner: Additional Listing for Istisu Thermal Resort". 2024. https://livawards.com/winner/liv/2023/1011/0/. 
  27. "New York Product Design Awards 2024 Winner: Milano Armchair". 2024. https://nydesignawards.com/winner-info.php?id=2287. 
  28. "Architecture MasterPrize 2024 Honorable Mention: Milano Armchair". 2024. https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=9931&mode=hm&compID=12813. 
  29. "Product Design Awards 2024 Honorable Mention: Milano Armchair". 2024. https://www.productdesignaward.eu/honorable-mention/?comp_year=2024. 
  30. "Design & Build Awards 2024 Winner: Urbanism Planning Architecture Italia". 2024. https://www.build-review.com/winners/urbanism-planning-architecture-italia-srl/. 
  31. "International Property Awards 2023 Winner: Abu Dhabi Ladies Club". 2023. https://propertyawards.net/region/africa-and-arabia/?fwp_winner_year=2023-winners&fwp_winner_type_mobile=architecture&fwp_winner_search=Ladies%20club. 
  32. "IDA Design Awards 2023 Honorable Mention: Abu Dhabi Ladies Club". 2023. https://www.idesignawards.com/winners/zoom.php?eid=9-44129-22. 
  33. "IDA Design Awards 2022 Winner: Variable Acoustic Auditorium for VGIK University". 2022. https://www.idesignawards.com/winners/zoom.php?eid=9-30894-20. 
  34. "Design & Build Awards 2022 Winner: Urbanism Planning Architecture Italia". 2022. https://www.build-review.com/winners/urbanism-planning-architecture-italia/. 
  35. "Architecture MasterPrize 2020 Honorable Mention: Auditorium of VGIK in Moscow". 2020. https://architectureprize.com/winners/winner.php?id=2020&mode=hm&compID=12791. 
  36. "European Enterprise Awards 2020 Winner: Urbanism Planning Architecture Italia". 2020. https://www.eubusinessnews.com/winners/urbanism-planning-architecture-italia/. 
  37. "Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2020 Winner: Urbanism Planning Architecture Italia". 2020. https://luxurylifestyleawards.com/architects?y=2020&r=Italy.